Marian Rivera opened up about herself, her dreams and ambitions, and her relationship with boyfriend Dingdong Dates in the Silver Anniversary issue of Metro Magazine released last May.

”Siguro kasi honest kami sa isa't-isa. We're like best friends at hindi mag-boyfriend/girlfriend. Hindi kami nawawalan ng communication sa mga bagay na ginagawa namin,” she shared and then added, “Iba talaga 'pag true love.”

Marian believes that their astrological signs in a way contribute to their compatibility, saying that, “Pareho kaming Leo. Extreme kami parehas at nagkakasundo kami sa mga bagay-bagay. Depende sa sitwasyon.”

For Marian, their personality differences complement their strengths and weaknesses. Dingdong is known for being serious and formal while Marian is vibrant and straight-forward.

”Si Dong kasi... Example, kapag may nang ba-bash sa iyo sasabihin nya, 'Wag mo ng isipin 'yun. Hayaan mo na. Isipin mo na lang mas maraming nagmamahal sa ‘yo.' Palaging nasa good side siya. Never siyang 'Ganon ba? Gantihan natin iyon,’” Marian related.

Marian further shared that even her beau of five years makes it a point not to take sides even if someone is directly going against her. “He would say, 'Ikaw ang nakakaintindi, 'di ba? Hayaan mo na lang. Tandaan mo, lahat naman ng ginagawa mo, nakikita naman nila.' Isa siya sa mga dahilan at nasa paligid mo na mabuting tao,’' the 29-year-old star said.

While Dingdong is her pillar of strength, Marian serves as the sunshine in the actor's life. 'I'm playful. Jolly akong tao. Masyado kasi siyang seryoso so ako iyong nagba-balance sa buhay niya. Ako iyong magsasabi na 'Halika nga, kain na tayo, smile ka naman, chill ka lang.' Ako iyong makulit. Although, mas makulit na nga siya sa akin ngayon eh. Nahawa na,' Marian gleefully shared. (next page)

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While she is more verbal about showing her love, Marian recognized the fact that her beau is more into showing her his affection with his actions. 'Ang hindi ko malilimutan iyong nag-set up siya na pumunta kami sa Spain kay Papa (Francisco Javier Gracia). Tapos date ko silang dalawa for Valentine's Day. Nag-date kaming tatlo,” Marian shared about her visit to Spain in 2010.

Apart from honesty, another huge element in their solid relationship is their unquestionable support for each other’s endeavors. Marian maintained that Dingdong's full support for all her moves, be it career or personal, is at a hundred percent.

'Malaki ang tiwala niya sa akin sa ginagawa ko. Siguro isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit pursigido ako at isa sya sa mga inspirasyon ko. Never siyang nakialam sa career. Ganun din ako. 'Gusto mo 'yan? Suportahan kita. Kaya mo 'yan, okay lang 'yan!'” Marian proudly revealed.

Asked for the greatest love lesson she could impart, Marian explained at length what she used to say in previous reports which many have misconstrued as submissiveness. She said, 'Kapag mahal mo ang isang tao, matututo kang mag-adjust at mag-bend para mag-meet kayo halfway. Kasi kapag mahal mo ang isang tao, ganun ang gagawin mo. Mamahalin mo siya hindi dahil sa kung ano ang perfect sa kanya? Malalalaman mong seryoso ka at mahal mo ang isang tao kung tanggal mo ang kapintasan niya at hindi mo babaguhin.”